Hatley Castle Gardens, Victoria, Canada

Living in Victoria, this garden was one of my favourite places to visit. It's far less busy than Butchart Gardens and offers such a beautiful setting - with distant views of the Olympic Mountains across the Juan de Fuca Strait.

You'll rarely, if ever, find a crowd here.

The garden is on the grounds of Royal Roads University in Colwood, on the Westshore of Victoria. The drive from downtown is about 20 minutes.

It’s a garden that invites a quiet stroll and time for just sitting to take in the gorgeous garden vistas, listening to the birds and watching the squirrels scamper across the lawns. The designers have seamlessly connected formal gardens with rambling paths through the wilder parts of the garden.

There are waterways, wild meadows, ancient cherry blossoms and, of course, a real life castle!

Hatley Castle - An Historic Treasure

Hatley Castle, an impressive 40-room mansion, was built between 1908 and 1909 for James Dunsmuir, a prominent industrialist and politician in British Columbia. Dunsmuir, who served as both Premier and Lieutenant Governor of the province, was the son of Robert Dunsmuir, a wealthy coal baron.

The castle was intended as a lavish retirement residence for James and his wife, Laura, reflecting their status and aspirations.

Designed by renowned Canadian architect Samuel Maclure, Hatley Castle showcases the Scottish baronial style, popular during the Edwardian era. The estate, named "Hatley Park", was envisioned as a grand residence where Laura could entertain Victoria's high society, while James indulged in fishing, hunting, and gentleman farming.

The surrounding gardens were meticulously planned to complement the castle's grandeur.

Celebrated American garden designers Franklin Brett and George D. Hall of Boston were commissioned to create the formal gardens, which include the Italian, Japanese, and Rose gardens. These gardens blend with the natural landscape, featuring native and exotic vegetation, recreational spaces, and forests.

After Laura Dunsmuir's death in 1937, the estate was sold to the Canadian government in 1939. During World War II, there were contingency plans to use Hatley Castle as a residence for the British royal family in case of a German invasion of Britain, though these plans were never realized.

In 1940, the estate became the Royal Roads Military College, serving as a training facility for naval cadets. The military college operated until 1995, after which the site was repurposed as Royal Roads University. Today, Hatley Castle serves as the administrative centre of the university and remains a significant historical and architectural landmark, attracting visitors to its storied halls and beautifully preserved gardens.

Exploring the Gardens

The Rose Garden

My first experience of the Rose Garden was on a summer’s day when the air was heavy with the perfume of thousands of blooms. This area of the garden is an absolute delight to experience.

The garden bursts with roses of every variety, with vibrant colours ranging from delicate pastels to bold, fiery reds and oranges. Along with the intoxicating scent of blooming roses that fills the air, it’s a feast for the senses!

The rose garden was designed in 1913 by Brett and Hall and showcases the romantic aesthetic of the Edwardian era.

Many of the Hybrid Perpetuals and Hybrid Tea roses originally planted proved too tender to survive, and few remain in modern gardens. However, one American Pillar rose in this garden endured, along with several others propagated from its cuttings. Other surviving varieties include Gruss an Teplitz and La France. During the garden's 1997 renovation, a central lawn - added in earlier years - was removed, and modern roses were planted in its place. The sundial and bench, both original features, continue to grace the garden.

The 1913 planting plan of Brett and Hall is now housed in the university archives.

The Italian Garden

Adjacent to the castle is the elegant Italian Garden, the most formal of the gardens. It features a symmetrical design that has remained largely unchanged over the years. At its centre stands a pavilion, flanked by circular loggias that lead to wisteria-covered gazebos at either end.

Seasonal plantings provide vibrant colour, and statues representing the four seasons—Pomona, Ceres, Flora, and Hebe—are placed throughout the space. A boxwood hedge, typical of the 1930s when the garden was created, borders the space, adding to its period charm. Garden beds feature seasonal mass plantings including tulips in spring and peonies in summer.

The Japanese Garden

Of all the gardens, the Japanese Garden is my personal favourite. It’s incredibly peaceful with its large reflective pond, arched bridge, and traditional Japanese pavilion. The surrounding landscape is a blend of cherry blossom trees, Japanese maples, rhododendrons, and azaleas, with a winding path around the lake.

The garden was created in 1910 by Japanese landscape gardener Isaburo Kishida, of Yokohama.

One of the highlights is the stunning white wisteria that drapes gracefully over an arbour, providing a shaded spot to sit and contemplate nature. Spring and fall are particularly magical here - spring brings a cascade of pink cherry blossoms, while autumn sets the maples and aspens ablaze in fiery hues of red and gold.

It’s a lovely spot to enjoy a picnic lunch.

The Bog Garden

Another unique feature of Hatley Castle Gardens is the bog garden.

This area is home to a fascinating fish ladder, built to help local fish reach their spawning grounds. The lush, damp environment supports a variety of moisture-loving plants, adding a different texture and atmosphere to the estate’s diverse horticultural offerings.

Woodland Trails

Beyond the formal gardens, woodland paths meander through the estate, revealing hidden gems like tranquil ponds and bubbling streams.

In early spring, daffodils and bluebells carpet the grounds with wild abandon, creating a fairytale-like scene.

A Year-Round Destination

I have so many wonderful memories from this garden. It was always a place of solace and calm and the perfect place to spend a few hours. I can think of nothing lovelier than standing beneath a large cherry blossom tree in full bloom with petals falling around you like gentle snow. Or watching the sunlight shine through the aspen leaves on a crisp autumn day.

The gardens are open year-round. Each season offers something new to discover, from the riotous blooms of summer to the fiery foliage of autumn and the quiet elegance of winter. It’s a place that beckons you to return, time and time again.

If you’re a garden lover or simply seeking a peaceful retreat from the city, Hatley Castle Gardens is well worth a visit. I’ve visited throughout the year, and there’s always something to capture through the lens of my camera. Whether you’re drawn by the history, the inspiration of the gardens, or the promise of a perfect photo, this enchanting site is sure to leave a lasting impression.

How to get to Hatley Castle

By Car

From Downtown Victoria: take the Island Highway (Trans Canada Highway #1) North-West to exit 10 for Colwood and Sooke onto the Old Island Highway (#14). Travel south-west for 3 kilometres (2 miles) and turn left at the University entrance. Head down past the university buildings and you’ll see a parking lot to the right. Parking is metered - you’ll need to purchase a ticket from one of the meters and display it in your vehicle.

Walk up the path towards the university. Access to the formal gardens is through the garden booth beside Hatley Castle on College Drive. Once you’ve walked through the gardens you can leave via a gate at the bottom of the garden near the parking lot.

By Bus

From Downtown Victoria: Take bus number 95 (any of the stops along Douglas Street) to the corner of Goldstream Avenue at Island Highway. From there its an 800m flat walk to the University.

Allow yourself a couple of hours to fully explore the garden.

Opening Hours

The gardens are open daily from 10am to dusk.

The castle itself is occupied by the university so you can’t go inside except on a guided walking tour. Tours operate seasonally.

Access to the gardens at the time of writing is free.